Papal States, White Crosses and Papal Decorations, Plate XXIX, 1844

This is an original antique wood engraving, colored by hand with watercolor, showing insignia of the Papal States. At upper left a white eight-pointed cross with gold fleurs-de-lis in the angles hangs from a gold crown topped by a trophy of arms, on a black watered ribbon. At the center is a large plain white eight-pointed cross, and at lower left a smaller white eight-pointed cross hangs on a black ribbon. At upper right a red-enameled cross with gold edges, ball tips and gold fleurs-de-lis in the angles has an oval white band around a blue center with a standing figure; it hangs on a black ribbon, and its oval reverse below shows crossed keys under a papal tiara. At lower right a gold cross set with green laurel between the arms has a white oval center with a papal tiara over a gold ribbon, and hangs on a white ribbon with an orange stripe.

The running head reads "ÉTATS DE L'ÉGLISE." (States of the Church) and the plate number "XXIX". The items are numbered 7 to 11. The red cross numbered 10 has a legend beginning "PRÆMIVM" (reward) and ending "PIETATI" (to piety); its reverse reads "ORDINE INSTITUTIO MDLX", with the date 1560. The arms of the gold cross numbered 11 are lettered in two lines "RESTI TUTA", "FUGA TIS", "LATRONI BUS" and "SECURI TAS" (security restored, the brigands put to flight). The white crosses numbered 7, 8 and 9 are not lettered.

The plate comes from Ordres de Chevalerie et Marques d'Honneur, published by Auguste Wahlen in Brussels by the Librairie Historique-Artistique, rue de Schaerbeek, 12, in 1844. The half title reads Histoire, costumes, décorations de tous les ordres de chevalerie, et marques d'honneur. Auguste Wahlen was the pen name of the Belgian writer Jean-François-Nicolas Loumyer (1801 to 1875), and the title page lists his own knighthoods in the orders of Prussia, Sweden, Spain, Portugal, Turkey, Hanover, Greece, the Roman States, Saxe-Coburg and Brazil.

The black ribbons and white crosses give the plate a sober, graphic character that suits a dark frame.

This is an original antique print, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.